[Anonymous]

I feel like I’m posting a lot of questions lately but this forum is very helpful! I’ll be starting at a Big 4 next month but will probably not have taken any of my 4 tests but will be heavily studied up on FAR before I start. Will I be behind my start class and will this be viewed negatively? Like most first years I want to come in and be impressive and I’m afraid this will hurt my image.

Also, for all you CPA firm employees, would it be possible for me to get home by 7:00 during non busy season so I can get 3 hours of study in a day? From what I heard in the non busy season for audit associates they work from 8:00 to about 6:30. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks!!!!

[ganudorm]

I wouldn't say your image would be hurt but many of your peers will have likely passed the exam already.

Also, you will probably get home anywhere from 6:30-7 p.m.

It is terrible having to work and study and is my biggest regret from college – not starting to take the exam during my last semester of grad school when I was busy goofing off with my friends who were in their “victory lap” (5th year)

[Anonymous]

I didn't go to Grad school and am waiting to get approved which is why I will have to take it while working. I tried to have myself approved by May 31st but there was no way. I completely underestimated how annoying and long the application process would be. They it's really hard to get a provisional to take the CPA while in undergrad because you have to be in the semester your graduating before you apply so that your meeting the requirements that semester. For me that last semester is this summer so I couldn't even really start applying until a few weeks ago.

Good to know I can get a few hours in every night though. Plenty of people have passed the test while working I'm sure…. At least I think so

[ganudorm]

Plenty have passed while working (for instance – I have) – Not going to sugar coat it, you've got a tough journey in front of you but it will pay off at the end

[mla1169]

You're starting Big 4 within days of finishing your undergrad and worried you're BEHIND? Presumably your employer realizes you hadn't finished school when they extended an offer and is well aware that you weren't able to apply for the exam until very recently. You obviously impressed them to have received the offer given your status.

Most people are working while they do the exams. It's not ideal but don't let people tell you it's awful. I was working f/t, in grad school and had 2 kids when I passed. Wasn't exactly a Tropical vacation but I survived.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply Mia. I know I'm not in for a easy ride here but it is nice to hear someone did it with so much going on.

[neika822]

You will not be viewed upon negatively. I started working full-time in public accounting not having passed even one and most of my peers had only passed a couple, if any.

However, a word of warning. MAKE TIME TO STUDY. I had all the time in the world during grad school to study (and I was supposed to), but I didn't have the motivation to do it. Then busy season came, which is absolutely impossible to study during (not impossible for some, but impossible for me – I know people who have done it!). You will be getting home late from work, so take that into account. Get up early and put in a good hour before you have to go into work. Study weekends. If you make the effort (unlike me – which is why I'm studying NOW and not two years ago when I was in public accounting), you can do it!

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[acamp]

You'll be about average, most first years when they start don't have it done–although a decent portion have an exam or two completed. As mentioned, the key to get it going and get on it fast. Studying + Working only gets worse as you move up the ladder. You mentioned perception by others, nobody really cares. You'll get ragged on by your friends who have it done, but the firm and the people you work under aren't too concerned with you having it done at your level–more concerned with the quality of your work, and lets face it, having the exam done is not necessarily indicative of a great associate. I know some fairly weak associates who have the exam done and some pretty awesome people who don't.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Mr.NiceWatch]

You'll be fine.

When I started with a big four this time last year, I wasn't even approved to sit for the exam! Six months later I had passed all sections of the CPA exam. Like you, I studied my butt off during summer and was ready to take FAR asap. I received my approval during the weekday and sat for the exam the following weekend. The key is to pass the exam in your first year because expectation increase the second year so you have little time to study. Mention to your co-workers that the CPA exam is important to you and you want to finish it by end of your first year. This way it is always in the back of their mind and when you ask for a day off, there are no surprises.

Good luck!

Journey begins in July 2012.

FAR - 87 (8/7/2012)
REG - 89 (11/19/2012)
AUD - 95 (1/17/2013)
BEC - 81 (2/26/2013)

[magatha12]

That's kind of where I am at as well. I start in the fall (B4), meanwhile still having my other full time job. So I don't exactly want to dive into the exam into the fall and and then get right into busy season (for tax), so should I wait until after busy season? I just don't really know how to plan it out I guess is my problem. I don't want to be super bogged down while I'm just starting but then at the same time, I'd rather get this done sooner than later.

FAR: 79
AUD: 81
REG:5/29/15
BEC:85

Using CPA Excel, NINJA notes and audio, NINJA MCQs

[texassigma10]

I know how you are feeling. I'm also feeling the same way, and I'm very worried. I keep pushing my test date back, because for some reason, my focus and motivation to study has dwindled (I'm pretty burned out). Good luck on your journey. You are not alone.

[neika822]

@texas – this is what I did when I first started studying. You HAVE to get it into your mind that you need to study. If you don't study, you will not pass (unless you're a super genius accountant, which I was not). I kept pushing it back and pushing it back, then work started and busy season crushed me and I'd “study”, as in a chapter or two, and then take the exam and fail. Don't get caught in the cycle! I really had to get it into my mind this time (2.5 years later), that I just need to suck it up and study. And I've passed two, so it seems to be working for me. Set the exam date and do NOT push it back.

@magatha – If you can… start studying NOW. Take two or three exams and get them out of the way. Then, see how your busy season is… if you can get in studying, do it. Or wait until it's over and then hit the books straight away. You can definitely get a good chunk in now, before you start in public, and during the fall.

Good luck! I so wish I had taken this more seriously three years ago when I started studying!

R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

[Author]

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